Supporting device



sept. 25,1923. 1,469,097 S. S. MATTHES SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 9. 1923 Inl-lll lwcntot @d Hf 4 g 54m/L AM77/755 Patented Sept. 25, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT4 oEFicE.

SAMUEL S.. MATTHES, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE OHIO BRASS COMPANY, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, A CORPORATION I NEW`JERSEY. l

SUPPORTING' navrcr.

i Application med February 9, 1983. Serial No. 818,022.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, SAMUEL S. MA'rrHES, a citizen of the United States of America, re siding at Mansfield, in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Supporting Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to supporting devices 0 and has particular reference to a device for supporting trolle conductors from `an overlhead structure although it is applicable to other uses.

The object of my invention is to produce 5 a device in which the parts supported may be alined with respect to the support, and also there may be yielding relative movement between the parts supported and the support. Other objects will appear as I 0 proceed with a description of my invention in detail.

In the drawing accompan ing this specification and forming a part t ereof:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a device in partial section embodying my invention and the device shown is particularly adapted to the supporting of a trolley wire clamp with re-.

spect to an overhead` support. I

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the llne 2-2 of Fig. 1 and shows a positive limited relative rotation of the parts for alining purposes.

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of Fig. 1 showing the relative axial movement of certain parts.

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view of Fig. 1 showing relative movement of certain.; parte, said movement differing` from'that of ig. 3. J

Fig. 5 is a modification of my invention showing a device embodying my invention and capable of attachmentl and detachment to an insulated or otherform ofsupport.

In the preferred form of deviceembody- 5 ing m invention I employ a body member 1 provi ed with a cavity 2 and diametrically opposite projecting arms 3, each provided with a U shaped hook 4 to receive an overhead span wire as is well known in the art o and in common use. Other forms of support may be substitutedforthe arms 3, all of which are well known at the present day.

Within the cavity 2 is electrical insulating material 5 which is usually applied under heat andy extreme pressure. Embodied in the insulation is a supporting mechanism 6. This supporting member comprises the bod member with a projecting flange 8 whic anchors the supporting mechanism within the insulating material 5. The body mem- 00 ber 7 is provided with a cavity 9 .having integrally formed therewith at one side a lug 10. Rotatably mounted in the cavity -9 is a supporting member 11, and securedl within the cavity by means of the turned over fiange 12. The fiange 12 is preferably cast straight as shown yby the dotted lines in Fig. 1 and after the member 11 has been properly positioned vthe iiange 12 is turned inwardly, as shown by the full lines in Fig. 1, by rolling, stamping or other suitable means. The supporting-member 11 is shown furnished with projecting means 13 screw threaded to receive a trolley wire clamp of any of the numerous forms now in use. Pro'ecting from 'I6 the supporting member 11 is a lug 14 which is adapted t0 engage with the lug 10. As shown, the member 11 being rotatable, the lug 14 will engage with the member 10 on either side thereof, limiting the amount of rotation of the member 11 withx respect to the body member 1. In order to normally maintain the member 11 in position against the flange 12 and to permit relative, vertical or axial movement of the member 11 with respect to the body member 1 along the axis m-, I insert a spring 15 between the face 16 and the supporting member 11.

The object of this axial movement of the supporting member 11 with respect to the body member 1 is to permit an upwardly, vertical yielding movement of the trolley wire due to an upward pressure upon the trolley wire by the current collector. This axial movement of the member 11 with respect to the bodymember 1 is found of great advantagein eliminating what is commonly known in the art as hard spots, that is, it

isfound that wherever the trolle wire is supported, either, through the me ium of a span wire or rigid overhead support, that at such points of support there is a decided blow given to the trolley wire which in time has a detrimental eiect upon the,trol ley wire at this point, and the object of my invention is. to add to the point of support Another function of my invention is to.

permit the trolley wire and its clamp to pivot or yield due to the approach of the trolley collector toward the'ear and its rel treat therefrom. It will be evident that when the current collector approaches and retreats from the trolley clamp that the upward pressure thereof will tend to cause the trolley clam to pivot about its support, and if the trollldy clamp is-rigid and will not pivot, then there is a relative movement of the trolley wire with respect to the Clamp which in time has a crystallizing effect upon the wire, and causes the same to break and also causes considerable wear upon the wire adjacent the ends of the clamp. It will be noted in Fig. 4 that there is a pivotal action possible between the supporting member 11 and the body member 7 and since the construction of the member 11 is circular and uniform, and the same is true of the flange 12, the member 11 is free to pivot with respect to the flange 12 at any point about the circumference of the member 11. This pivotal action is also brought about against the pressure of the spring 15.

In the description just given the supporting mechanism involving my invention and the hanger member 1 are incprporated in a single unit and insulated with respect to each other, but it is possible to so modify the construction that the device embodying my invention may form a detachable part of an insulated hanger to be secured to any form of support, and such a modification is shown in Fig. 5 and has the advantage of being capable of attachment to any of the standard hangers in general use.

A standard form of hanger is represented as H, having a threaded stud 20 embedded therein. Secured to the stud is shown a supporting mechanism 21 embodying my invention, and which comprises a body member 22 interiorly threaded to receive the stud 20 and provided with a flange 23. Mounted upon the flange 23 is a supporting member 24 provided with a projecting threaded p member 25 to which may be secured a trolley wire clamp. The supporting member 24 is provided witha cavity 26 and to the interior Wall of the member 24 is secured a lug 27 adapted to engage a lug 28 integrally secured to the flange 23 of the body member 22. The members 22 and 24 are rotatable relative to each other, but the amount of rotation in either direction is limited by the lugs 27 and 28. The member 24 is mounted on the member 22 by means of the flange 29 which, like the'fiange 12, is preferably cast straight as shown by the dotted lines and then formed inwardly. A spring 30 interposed between the parts 22 and 24 holds the parts extended to their limit', but permits the part 24 to yield upwardly along the axis 1/-3/ under an upward pressure of' the trolv ley collector when passing the point of support the same as the construction herebefore described.

The construction will also permit a pivotal motion of the member-24 with respect to the member 22 in any direction about the circumference of the member 23.

It will be observed thatthe opera-mon of the modified device embodying my invention shown in Fig. 5 performs all the functions of the device shown in Fig. 1, but is of such a construction that it can be applied to practically any form of support now on the market. In fact, if additional movement is desired to that permitted by the construction shown in Fig. 1, the device shown in Fig. 5 can be attached to the threaded stud 13 of Fig. 1, therebyv increasing the amount of relative movement of the parts.

In the use of the device herein described and shown in Fig. 1, the same is first attached to an overhead span supporting wire which supporting wire usually crosses the trolley wire at right angles thereto, but may cross it at varying angles.

The trolley clamp or ear which is attached directly to the trolley wire is then placed in position with respect to the stud 13 and rotated in the proper direction until the boss of the ear engages with the lower face 17 of the supporting member 11. The rotation'of the-clamp or ear is continued in which case the member 11 will also rotate in the same direction until the lug 14 engages with the lug 10. This engagement prevents the further rotation of the member 11, but permits the forcing of the clamp or ear into tight engagement with the face 1T of the member 11. The clamp or ear may now be in alinement to receive the trolley wire, or it may not, and if the latter is the case, then the trolley clamp or ear may be rotated in a reverse direction in which case the member 11 will also rotate, permitting the alinement of the clamp or ear with` the trolley wire.

The clamp or ear having been installed upon the wire, it is now free to pivot or move vertically with respect to the body member 1 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. As the current collector, pressing upwardly upon the trolley wire, approaches the clamp or ear, the inclination is for the clamp or ear to pivot upwardly as shown in Fig. 4 and when the trolley collector is directly bclow the'center of the device or in line with the axis -m the tendency is for the clamp or ear to move upwardly as shown in Fig. 3. As the current collector retreats from the clamp the tendency is for the clamp or ear to pivot in the opposite direction.

The description of the use of the construc- -tion shown 1n Fig. 1 applies ually well to that in Fig. 5. The device is first attached tothe stud 2O and the trolley clam or ear is then secured to the stud an rotated until ,the lug 27 enga s with the lug 28"A in which case continu rotation of the trolley clamp or ear will tendto move all parts in the same direction thereby tightenin the member 22 against the lower face of the hanger H and tightening likewise the clam or ear a ainst the lower face of the mem er 24.4 I now the trolley clamp ish not in alinement with the trolley wire, the clamp is rotated in the reverse direction, together with the member 24, until" alinement does take place. i

-.-=;Where a new construction is being vinstalled, the device shown in Fig. 1 maybe used, but in an'old construction my invention can be applied thereto by merely re moving the trolley clamp and inserting becure the body to a support, a cavity within' said body member, electrical insulation em-4 i bedded within the cavity, and a supporting mechanism embedded in the insulation, but electrically separated from' thebody member, the supporting mechanism comprising a member provided with means to secure it within the insulation and provided with a cavity, a member rotatably mounted inthe cavity and having supporting means projecting therefrom, and a resilient member interposed between the rotatable member and the interior wall of the cavity to maintain tlie rotatable member in yielding relation to the other parts'as and for the purpose described.

2. An article of manufacture comprising a body member provided with means to secure the body to a support, a cavity within said body member, electrical insulatin embedded within the cavity, and a supporting mechanism embedded in the inf sulation, but electrically separated from the body member, the supporting mechanism comprising a member provided with means tosecure it within ,the insulation and provided with a cavity, a member rotatably mounted in the cavity and having supporting means projecting therefrom, means to limit the amount of rotation of the rotatable member and a resilient member interposed between the rotatable member and the interior wall of the cavity to maintain the described. tween the clamp and thehanger the device" rotatable member in yielding relation to the other arts as and for the purpose described.

3.. n article of manufacture comprising a body member provided with means to p secure the body toa support, a cavity-with- `secure it within the insulation and provided witha cavity, a member rotatably mounted in the 4cavity and.. having si'ipportingmeansl projecting therefrom, means to limit the amount. of. rotation lof. the rotatable member in both directions and a resilient member interposed betweenthe rotatablemember and the interior wall of the cavity to maintain the rotatable member in yielding relation to the other parts as and for the purpose 4. An article of manufacture comprising a body member, means vto secure the body to a support, a cavity within said body member, electrical 4insulation securedv wit-hin the cavity and a supporting mechanism secured in the insulation but electrically separated thereby `from the body member, the supportin mechanism comprisin a member provi ed'with means to secure it within the insulation and also providedvwith a cavity,

a rotatable member having a limited rotation in either direction mounted within the cavity, kmeans to secure an article to be supported to the rotatable member and a resilient member engaging the rotatable member to maintain the rotatable member in yielding relation to the other parts as and for the purpose described. e

5; An article of manufacture comprising a pair of electrically separated members, electrical insulation interposed therebetween, means to secure the article to aI suport, one of the members provided with a reely movable and rotatable member secured thereto, means to limit the amount of relative rotation, resilient means interposed between the rotatable member and its siipporting member to permit a free yielding relation between the movable and rotatable member and its supporting member as and for the purpose described.

6. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of electrically `insulated members forming a unit in which the members are held in a fixed relation, means on one member to secure the unit to a support, supporting means rotatably secured to the other member, and means to limit the rotation of the supporting means relative to its Supporting member.

7. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of electrically insulated members forming a rigid unit, means to secure the iso unit to a support, supporting means yieldably secured to said unit to yield axially with respect to said unit and resilient means to yieldingly resist said movement4 of the supporting member.

8. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of electrically insulated members forming a rigid unit, means to secure the unit to a support, supporting meanslpi'votally secured to the unit and means to yieldingly resist said pivotal movement. u

9. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of electrically insulated members forming a rigid unit', means to secure the unit* to a support, supporting means provided with a circular member mounted to pivot relative to the unit about any point around the edge of the circular member, and means to yieldingly resist said pivotal movement in any direction.

10. An article of manufacture comprising a pair of electrically insulated members forming a unit, means to secure the unit to a support, a supporting member mounted to rotate freely at all times within limits, and means establishing said limits.

11. An article of manufacture comprising a hanger, a supporting member secured thereto; means preventing movement, of the supporting member and hanger in a direction away from each other, means permitting relative movement of the hanger and .supportingmember in a direction towards each other and means yieldingly resisting the latter movement of the supporting member.

12. A supporting device for a conductor support comprising a body member, means to secure the device to a support, a supportingmember secured tothe body member and having means for atachment to the concluetor support and having universal movement relative to the body member and means to yieldingly maintain the parts in a predetermined relation. f

13. A supporting device for a conductor support comprising a body member, means to secure the device to avsupport, a supporting member secured to the body member and having means for attachment to a conductor support and having a universal and a rotative movement relative to the body member and means to limit the rotativo movement to a predetermined amount.

14. A supporting device for a conductor support comprising tivo inter-engaged members rotatable relative to each other, means on one member to secure the device to a support and means on the other member to secure a conductor support thereto and means to limit the relative rotation of the members in both directions. y

15. A supporting device for a conductor support comprisinof tivo interengaged members movable axially relative to each other, means on one member to secure the device to a support and means on the other member to secure a conductor support thereto, means to yieldingly resist relative 'movement of the members in one direction when subjected to impact or pressure in said direction.

16. A hanger comprising a body member, a supporting member secured to the body member in electricall insulated relation thereto but having a imited relative rotation with respect to the body member, means forming a part of the supporting member to attach a conductor support to-tlie supporting member by rotation, and means to prevent the rotation of the supporting member in one direction While securing the conductor support thereto and permit a siinultaneous reverse rotation of the conductor support and supporting member.

17. A hanger provided with a support therefor and having in combination a supporting member to receive a conductor support, the supporting member having a limited relative rotative movement with respect to the hanger. means to limit the relative rotation of the supporting means in both directions with resect to the hange: and permitting a relative and simultaneous rotation of the supporting member and the conductor support between the aforesaid limits.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

SAMUEL S. MATTHES. 

